NURSES’ KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DRUG POISONING AT CAIRO UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS

Detection and management of poisoning represents a basic emergency nursing competency. Nurse's knowledge and practice play important roles in providing supportive care to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by poisonings. Aim of the study: to assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning. Research Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Research questions: a) what is the nurses’ level of knowledge regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning b) what is the nurses’ level of practice regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning Setting: The National Center for Clinical and Environmental Toxicology affiliated to Cairo University Hospitals Sample: A convenience sample of 30 nurses with a minimum one year of experience. Tools of data collection: Three tools were developed and utilized to collect data pertinent to the current study: tool 1: Nurses' sociodemographic data sheet, tool 2: Acute drug poisoning nurses' interview questionnaire and tool 3: Acute drug poisoning nurses' practice observational checklist. Results: All the studied sample (100%) had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice level (<75%) regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning. No significant correlations were found between age, years of experience, total knowledge scores and total practice scores. No significant statistical difference was found in the total mean practice scores in relation to socio demographic characteristics. A high significant statistical difference was found in the mean practice scores in relation to qualifications Conclusion: critical care and emergency nurses dealing with poisoned patients have inadequate knowledge and practice regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning Recommendations: Replication of this study on a larger sample from different geographical locations in Arab Republic of Egypt, establishment of continuing education programs including evidence based guidelines to improve nurses' knowledge and practice regarding detection and management of acute drug poisoning.